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121:4.1 The [[gentiles]] were, from a [[moral]] [[standpoint]], somewhat inferior to the [[Jews]], but there was present in the [[hearts]] of the [[nobler]] gentiles [[abundant]] soil of natural [[goodness]] and potential human [[affection]] in which it was possible for the [[seed]] of [[Christianity]] to sprout and bring forth an abundant [[harvest]] of moral [[character]] and [[spiritual]] [[achievement]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_centers_of_Christianity gentile world] was then [[dominated]] by four great [[philosophies]], all more or less derived from the earlier [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Platonism] of the [[Greeks]]. These schools of [[philosophy]] were:

121:4.1 The [[gentiles]] were, from a [[moral]] [[standpoint]], somewhat inferior to the [[Jews]], but there was present in the [[hearts]] of the [[nobler]] gentiles [[abundant]] soil of natural [[goodness]] and potential human [[affection]] in which it was possible for the [[seed]] of [[Christianity]] to sprout and bring forth an abundant [[harvest]] of moral [[character]] and [[spiritual]] [[achievement]]. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_centers_of_Christianity gentile world] was then [[dominated]] by four great [[philosophies]], all more or less derived from the earlier [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Platonism] of the [[Greeks]]. These schools of [[philosophy]] were:

*1. 121:4.2 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicureanism The Epicurean]''. This school of [[thought]] was dedicated to the pursuit of [[happiness]]. The better Epicureans were not given to [[sensual]] excesses. At least this [[doctrine]] helped to deliver the Romans from a more deadly form of [[fatalism]]; it taught that men could do something to improve their [[terrestrial]] [[status]]. It did effectually combat ignorant [[superstition]].

*1. 121:4.2 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicureanism The Epicurean]''. This school of [[thought]] was dedicated to the pursuit of [[happiness]]. The better Epicureans were not given to [[sensual]] excesses. At least this [[doctrine]] helped to deliver the Romans from a more deadly form of [[fatalism]]; it taught that men could do something to improve their [[terrestrial]] [[status]]. It did effectually combat ignorant [[superstition]].

*2. 121:4.3 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism The Stoic]''. Stoicism was the superior [[philosophy]] of the better [[classes]]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoics] believed that a controlling [[Reason]]-[[Fate]] dominated all [[nature]]. They taught that the [[soul]] of man was [[divine]]; that it was imprisoned in the [[evil]] [[body]] of [[physical]] [[nature]]. Man's [[soul]] achieved [[liberty]] by living in [[harmony]] with [[nature]], with [[God]]; thus [[virtue]] came to be its own reward. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoicism] ascended to a [[sublime]] [[morality]], [[ideals]] never since [[transcended]] by any purely [[human]] system of [[philosophy]]. While the Stoics professed to be the "offspring of [[God]]," they failed to know him and therefore failed to find him. Stoicism remained a [[philosophy]]; it never became a [[religion]]. Its followers sought to [[attune]] their [[minds]] to the [[harmony]] of the [[Infinite Spirit|Universal Mind]], but they failed to envisage themselves as the [[children]] of a loving [[Father]]. [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] leaned heavily toward [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoicism] when he wrote, "I have learned in whatsoever [[state]] I am, therewith to be content."

*2. 121:4.3 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism The Stoic]''. Stoicism was the superior [[philosophy]] of the better [[classes]]. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoics] believed that a controlling [[Reason]]-[[Fate]] dominated all [[nature]]. They taught that the [[soul]] of man was [[divine]]; that it was imprisoned in the [[evil]] [[body]] of [[physical]] [[nature]]. Man's [[soul]] achieved [[liberty]] by living in [[harmony]] with [[nature]], with [[God]]; thus [[virtue]] came to be its own reward. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoicism] ascended to a [[sublime]] [[morality]], [[ideals]] never since [[transcended]] by any purely [[human]] system of [[philosophy]]. While the Stoics professed to be the "offspring of [[God]]," they failed to know him and therefore failed to find him. Stoicism remained a [[philosophy]]; it never became a [[religion]]. Its followers sought to [[attune]] their [[minds]] to the [[harmony]] of the [[Infinite Spirit|Universal Mind]], but they failed to envisage themselves as the [[children]] of a loving [[Father]]. [[Paul, the Apostle|Paul]] leaned heavily toward [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoicism] when he wrote, "I have learned in whatsoever [[state]] I am, therewith to be content."

*3. 121:4.4 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism The Cynic]''. Although the Cynics traced their [[philosophy]] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes Diogenes of Athens], they derived much of their [[doctrine]] from the remnants of the teachings of [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynicism] had formerly been more of a [[religion]] than a [[philosophy]]. At least the Cynics made their religio-philosophy democratic. In the fields and in the market places they continually preached their [[doctrine]] that "man could save himself if he would." They preached [[simplicity]] and [[virtue]] and urged men to meet [[death]] fearlessly. These wandering Cynic preachers did much to [[prepare]] the spiritually [[hungry]] populace for the later Christian missionaries. Their [[plan]] of popular preaching was much after the [[pattern]], and in [[accordance]] with the style, of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Christian_Bible Paul's Epistles].

*3. 121:4.4 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism The Cynic]''. Although the Cynics traced their [[philosophy]] to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes Diogenes of Athens], they derived much of their [[doctrine]] from the remnants of the teachings of [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynicism] had formerly been more of a [[religion]] than a [[philosophy]]. At least the Cynics made their religio-philosophy democratic. In the fields and in the market places they continually preached their [[doctrine]] that "man could save himself if he would." They preached [[simplicity]] and [[virtue]] and urged men to meet [[death]] fearlessly. These wandering Cynic preachers did much to [[prepare]] the spiritually [[hungry]] populace for the later Christian missionaries. Their [[plan]] of popular preaching was much after the [[pattern]], and in [[accordance]] with the style, of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Christian_Bible Paul's Epistles].

*4. 121:4.5 ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skepticism The Skeptic]''. Skepticism asserted that [[knowledge]] was fallacious, and that [[conviction]] and [[assurance]] were impossible. It was a purely [[negative]] [[attitude]] and never became widespread.

*4. 121:4.5 ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skepticism The Skeptic]''. Skepticism asserted that [[knowledge]] was fallacious, and that [[conviction]] and [[assurance]] were impossible. It was a purely [[negative]] [[attitude]] and never became widespread.

121:4.6 These philosophies were semireligious; they were often invigorating, [[ethical]], and ennobling but were usually above the common people. With the possible exception of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynicism], they were philosophies for the strong and the [[wise]], not religions of [[salvation]] for even the [[poor]] and the weak.

121:4.6 These philosophies were semireligious; they were often invigorating, [[ethical]], and ennobling but were usually above the common people. With the possible exception of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism Cynicism], they were philosophies for the strong and the [[wise]], not religions of [[salvation]] for even the [[poor]] and the weak.

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_121 Go to Paper 121]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_121 Go to Paper 121]</center>